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Contracts and Legal Compliance Manager
American Rivers
Legal, Compliance / Regulatory
Washington, DC, USA
USD 98,423-120,270 / year
Posted on Aug 28, 2025
Title: Contracts and Legal Compliance Manager
Classification: Director II
Department: Legal/General Counsel
Wage Category: Exempt
Location: Washington, DC Area (Preferred)
About American Rivers
American Rivers is championing a national effort to protect and restore all rivers, from remote mountain streams to urban waterways. Healthy rivers provide people and nature with clean, abundant water and natural habitat. For 50 years, American Rivers staff, supporters, and partners have shared a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers®.
The beauty of rivers is that they connect all people and communities – including within our organization. The life experiences, knowledge, innovation, and talent that different people bring to our work provide perspectives, experiences, and competencies that are critical to our effectiveness in protecting wild rivers, restoring damaged rivers, and conserving clean water for people and nature.
JOB SUMMARY:
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Contracts and Legal Compliance Manager at American Rivers. As a critical member of the legal team, this individual will manage contract administration, monitor compliance, oversee business insurance portfolio, maintain records, and support internal teams with compliance-related issues, working closely with the General Counsel to protect the nonprofit’s legal standing and reputation while supporting good governance and risk management for American Rivers, a 501(c)(3), and its affiliated 501(c)(4) and 527 tax exempt entities under the Internal Revenue Code. Working with a growing organization that has staff across the country, managing compliance requires adherence to federal, state, and sometimes local regulations across multiple jurisdictions.
The successful candidate will have a collaborative mindset with excellent communication skills and the proven ability to work across departments and with external partners.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Commitment to American Rivers core values.
Contract Administration
- Prepare, issue, and manage contracts and amendments under direction of the General Counsel.
- Support the negotiation and review of contract terms, ensuring alignment with strategic plan and legal requirements.
- Maintain and update agreement templates.
- Assist the General Counsel in all aspects of procurement activities, including RFP and RFQ processes, master service agreements, and internal policies and best practices aligned with external regulatory requirements.
- Execute the full life cycle of contracts and related documentation on the organization’s project management software.
- Monitor regulatory and legislative changes affecting contracts, particularly for federal grant recipients, and implement necessary updates.
- Coordinate with Finance on cross-departmental issues.
- Ensure that contractors and other third parties have provided the required proof of insurance and maintain database for current and accurate policies.
- Educate staff on internal and external requirements, contracting, and procurement requirements.
- Develop and implement project kickoff meetings.
Compliance Monitoring
- Monitor and interpret legislative and regulatory changes affecting the nonprofit sector, proactively updating internal policies and providing guidance to staff and leadership and specifically the relationships between 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) tax exempt entities and nuances and requirements of tax exempt 527 political entities.
- Support compliance with grant and contract-related laws and funder requirements.
- Collaborate closely with the General Counsel to review and update organizational policies and standard operating procedures to mitigate legal risk.
- Lead or support compliance training and policy development.
- Perform risk analysis and coordinate with insurance brokers or agents to review coverage, identify gaps, facilitate insurance policy audits, and manage claims as needed across all entities.
- Assist General Counsel in developing and implementing best practices and safeguards through insurance and relevant law compliance for pre-event risk assessment and planning.
- Monitor federal and state employment laws, including payroll taxes, workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, and proper worker classification.
- Monitor compliance with privacy and data retention laws and develop or adjust internal policies to be compliant.
Organizational Efficiency
- Identify, develop, and implement necessary workflows and procedures to reduce compliance risks, simplify audits, and support a culture of accountability and quality.
- Prepare reports, analyses, and recommendations for management regarding contract performance and compliance status.
- Assist General Counsel with preparations for board and committee meetings.
- Manage and implement the Legal Intern Program
- Additional duties as assigned by the General Counsel
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Requires demonstrated, successful experience in the following areas: exceptional attention to detail, excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, a high degree of autonomy and accountability, and a commitment to organizational integrity, ethical practices, and continuous learning.
- 5+ years of experience in regulatory compliance, legal risk, contract management, or a related field—preferably within the nonprofit or public sector with respect to organizations described in Sections 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 527 of the Internal Revenue Code.
- Ability to troubleshoot and solve problems independently and able to manage multiple projects and priorities.
- Experience working with or supporting a General Counsel’s office or legal department is highly valued.
- May involve supervising an Assistant to the Legal Department.
- Valid Notary Public commission in Washington, D.C., or willingness to obtain within 60 days of employment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools and Slack. Knowledge of Intacct, ADP, and project management software is a plus.
Candidates who are unsure if they meet all minimum qualifications or who have transferable skills and experience beyond the conservation sector are encouraged to apply.
LOCATION
HYBRID with access to our Washington, DC headquarters. Other occasional regional and national travel to meetings and training may be required.
COMPENSATION
American Rivers offers marketable compensation that reflects the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. The salary range for this position is $98,423-$120,270 annually, depending on experience and qualifications. We provide a comprehensive Total Rewards package to our full-time, regular employees, including:
- Health and Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, long-term and short-term disability, and life insurance.
- Financial Security: After one year of service, American Rivers begins contributing a 3% employer contribution. There is no vesting schedule for employer contributions as employees are 100% vested upon participation.
- Time Off: Four weeks of paid leave, eleven paid holidays, three floating holidays, and sick leave.
At American Rivers, we are committed to supporting our employee’s well-being, professional growth, and financial security, ensuring they can thrive both at work and in life.
COMMUNITY AND OPPORTUNITY
At American Rivers, our core values drive everything we do - we Lead with Collaboration and Trust, Infuse Equity and Justice, Deliver Results, and Ensure Staff and Volunteers Thrive. We are committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to make a difference.
Our culture prioritizes work-life thriving through Focus Fridays (no internal meetings), professional development opportunities, a home office stipend and our comprehensive leave policies, including sabbatical leave (every seven years) and paid parental leave (six weeks w/ one year of service).
We also ensure leadership stays connected to staff needs through an internal advisory group, fostering open communication and continuous improvement. At American Rivers, our people are our strength, and we are dedicated to building a thriving, inclusive workplace where everyone can grow and contribute to our mission.
American Rivers is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request reasonable accommodation, please contact the Human Resources department at 202-243-7040 or recruitment@americanrivers.org.
Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume and respond to all application questions.
Applicant must be legally allowed to work as an employee in the United States. American Rivers is an Equal Opportunity Employer.